How To Get Motivated To Clean

Cleaning Headspace! (Uh, what’s that?)

A while back, we made a video about cleaning your room—and in that video I said that you shouldn’t even attempt to clean if you are not in the right headspace.

Since then, many of you have asked what exactly I meant by that, and many others have asked how one gets into the right headspace.

Keep in mind, we all have different things that motivate us. But I wanted to share my favorite tips that I use to get myself motivated. Please share in the comments what you do!

How to get motivated to clean:

Clean in the Morning

I read somewhere that if you put the most daunting task of your day at the beginning of your day, it’ll get done quicker. The best part? You get to go through the rest of your day with a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

Set a Schedule—and Stick to It.

Things that get scheduled have a better chance of getting done. Schedule yourself an hour each week that you dedicate to cleaning. For me, it’s usually Sunday morning at 10:00. This way, I never have to worry about when I will get around to cleaning. If it helps, you can even make a detailed list about what you want to accomplish during your hour. Once Sunday rolls around, and I’ve cleaned for an hour, I can keep going if I feel like it—but if not, I’ve done my time!

Prepare your Stuff

Have all of your tools and products in one spot and make sure you everything’s ready for action: Cleaning cloths clean, product bottles full. As I’ve mentioned in several videos, a cleaning caddy is a super-handy addition.

Have A Routine

A great way to effectively use your time while cleaning is to have a routine—a list of cleaning tasks that you will follow to help you stay on track. Think of it as a Google map for your cleaning—it’ll help you get where you need to be in a quick, efficient manner! You might also find it helpful to do a little research beforehand to learn some techniques for cleaning an item that you have questions about. That way, you will reduce frustration during your cleaning. Along with all of the videos that we have on our Youtube channel, we have tons of terrific posts on our blog, as well as handy printables!

First Thing First (You’ve Got to Start Somewhere)

Have you ever noticed that when you finally get around to doing something that you’ve put off for a long time, that it isn’t really as hard as you thought it would be? The biggest barrier to cleaning your home is getting started—everything after that is pretty straightforward. It’s kind of like going to the gym. Getting into that headspace to even put on your gym clothes and go can be tough, but once you are there, you’re pumping iron like it’s no one’s business.

Avoid Distractions

These days we have more distractions than ever. While checking your text messages might only take you 10 seconds, it takes you away from your cleaning just long enough to completely lose focus. So now, you have to go through the re-starting process all over again. To avoid temptation, turn off your cell phone, TV, laptop, tablet etc. This is your time to care for your home. I like doing this—you might find you do too. It’s nice to take a break from these distractions.

Whistle While You Work

The Seven Dwarves had it right. A little music can go a long way. Play your favorite tunes while you tend to your cleaning, and turn it into a dance party. We’ve actually created 3 Songza playlists for you to clean to, with one for the seventies, eighties and nineties. Enjoy!

Don’t be Perfect

Remember, you are not trying to prepare for a visit from the Queen (or Will and Kate, which arguably would be more exciting). You’re trying to take an hour each week and clean as much as possible—without spending too much time in one particular place. Don’t get caught up for 20 minutes treating one carpet stain when you can spend that time vacuuming, making beds, and clearing clutter from the living room. We’re looking for more bang for your buck! Frustrating yourself over one small thing can lead to losing interest in the whole process—and that’s what we want to avoid!

Have Someone Help You

I’ve heard it all before: ”I’ll never be able to get my kids to help me clean.” Or, “My partner doesn’t have time to help me.” Maybe that’s true, or maybe you’re just telling yourself that’s true. Maybe it’s time to re-examine how cleaning gets done at home, because everyone who is able does need to contribute. Having just one other person help you clean cuts cleaning time in half!

Reward Yourself

All too often, we accomplish things and never give ourselves the much needed pat-on-the-back that we deserve. When you’re finished, it’s a perfect time to reward yourself by going out for lunch (eggs Benedict anyone?), or spending some time watching a movie—maybe even pouring yourself a cocktail or glass of wine to unwind in your tidy living room! Whatever it is, it’s an important part of the process, because next week, when cleaning time rolls around again, you’ll remember that a reward is waiting for you when it’s over, yet again.

Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing It

I often hear from our viewers that they hate cleaning because no one appreciates the work that they have done. Here’s the thing: You do it for yourself. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks or does. You are cleaning the house for your own peace of mind, pride of ownership, and sanity. It’s about that moment when someone happens to stop by unexpectedly: you get to say, “Come on in!” as opposed to, “OMG I am so sorry, the place is a mess!” Reframe the task—instead of saying, “Sigh, I have to clean my house today,” think about standing in your clean home 1 hour later and saying, “I cleaned my house today!” Be proud of your work. You’re doing this to create a better space for YOU.

And finally, think of all the positives that come from cleaning. It’s been proven time and time again that a clean home leads to a happier life. Therefore, the process of cleaning is actually the process of building a more contented life—and trust me on this one, it’s MUCH easier to enjoy your time in ANY space, be it a living space or even your workspace, when it’s a clean space!